Chapter 116

“Ben talked with me today.” I had completely forgotten about that. I looked up at him, trying to figure out what was going through his head, but his face was a blank canvas. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what he was thinking.

“And? How do you feel about it?” He was silent for a few seconds before looking down at me. “Of course, I’m fine with it.” I let out a huge breath of relief at his response.

He was fine with it. I’m sure Ben would have been over the moon to hear that. He was so worried that he would have to prove himself to the moon and back before he could even hold Eve’s hand. My thoughts paused for a moment when I saw the look on his face.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, feeling confused. He released a breath and unwound his arms from around me, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Why did you think I wouldn’t have been okay with it?” There was a sadness in his voice as he asked me that question that broke me. I opened my mouth to explain, but came up short.

Why did I think he wouldn’t be okay with it? When Ben came to me and told me his insecurities, why didn’t I clear them all away by telling him he didn’t have to worry because Eric was an amazing person who didn’t care about things like that?

Was that how I really felt about him? I kept silent, not knowing how to explain myself. He released another harsh breath, and the heaviness in my chest grew with each passing second.

“I’m sorry,” I said in a barely audible voice, but I knew he heard me. With one final breath, he turned around and, for the third time today, he wrapped his arms around me.

He buried his nose in the crook of my neck and took a deep breath. “You can always talk to me about anything, Ana…. I promise you can trust me.” His words made me melt. The guilt I felt was suddenly replaced with warmth all over.

I snuggled further into his chest, loving the feeling of his arms around me. “I’ll do that, but this wasn’t something I could tell you even if I wanted to,” I said, my words coming out muffled from his chest.

“Ben asked me to keep it to myself. He wanted to be the one to tell you directly.” As soon as the words left my lips, I felt him relax instantly as some of the tension in his muscles went away.

“I guess you’re right, but can we promise that from now on we won’t keep secrets from each other?” He asked, sounding hopeful. “Definitely,” I answered, chuckling lightly.

We stood in a comfortable silence for another few moments before he spoke up again. “Your parents…” He started, trailing off as if he was unsure of how to say his next words. I squeezed his arm in response, “When are their anniversaries?”

Their anniversaries? Why hadn’t I thought of that? Dad’s anniversary was barely two weeks away. How did I not remember it till now? Not to mention the only reason I’m remembering it is because I was asked. “Dad’s anniversary is in a few days; Mom’s is a little later.” Or was it because the nightmares were fewer? Was that why it had almost skipped my mind?

I felt terrible, but I tried to console myself with the fact that they would be happy I was moving on. “Why don’t we head in for the night? I think it’s been a long day for both of us.” He said as I noticed him looking at me worriedly, probably noticing the change in my mood for the 100th time tonight.

I nodded in agreement and allowed him to lead me back into the castle, but before we could even reach the door, Eric suddenly went stiff as a board by my side, effectively stopping me in my tracks.

I was going to ask what happened, but the words died on my tongue; I sensed it too. We were being watched. Even with my dull human senses, I would never mistake that tingling of awareness that went down my spine in the midst of unfamiliar people.

From the feel of it, it wasn’t just one person watching us either. Eric’s hand tightened around me as his muscles tensed, almost as if he was getting ready for a fight.

Maybe he was, was all I thought as I saw a figure step out from behind a tree. Maybe it was the sharpness of his eyes that gave him away, or it could be the way he held that dagger like it was his most prized possession, but either way, I knew he definitely wasn’t here for a friendly conversation.